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Welcome to the December 2023 edition of the SFNS
bi-monthly eNewsletter!
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General Information
The SFNS office will be closed for the holiday from:
Monday, December 25, 2023 to Friday, January 5, 2023.
Regular office hours will resume on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 8:30am.
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Welcome to the SFNS Team! | |
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Hi, my name is Alaina Stonefish, and I am from Moraviantown and Walpole Island and will be the new Implementation Facilitator for the Health Policy team. I am looking forward to working with all the local communities for this project. I am currently in school working on my Bachelor of Education Degree, and once I finish I aspire to go to law school. I am passionate about water protection and education; I enjoy learning from the land and water, and I enjoy creating and crafting. I’m excited to be apart of the Health Policy Team and can't wait to meet with all of the local communities of SFNS!
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The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program is designed to help Indigenous people improve their skills and find employment.
ISETP offers seven programs to assist clients:
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For more information on the LDCC ISETP Department, please contact Janice Noah, Director at ext. 222.
Click here to learn more about ISETP
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Reminder
A friendly reminder from our PS Department to please check in with your counsellor and submit midterm progress reports if you have not already done so. Additionally, as we near the close of this term, please remember to submit your final grades within 21 days of the end of classes.
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Student Wellness Session
We are hosting a Student Wellness Session at the Rec Room in London, on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 4pm - 7pm. There will be food, games, prizes, and networking opportunities!
All SFNS-sponsored students attending school this term are invited to attend and may bring one guest; if you are coming, please RSVP to Lacey Jackson (psmanager@sfns.on.ca) by Friday, December 8, 2023.
We would love to share a fun evening with students, celebrate achievements, and wrap up the fall 2023 term.
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We hosted our annual Policy Review Session on November 8, 2023, in Sarnia, ON. The SFNS Post-Secondary team was joined by members of the Education Departments from Aamjiwnaang, Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit, and Deshkan Ziibing.
We engaged in meaningful discussion around our Post-Secondary Student Assistance Policy and have some edits and updates to propose to our Board of Directors at the next meeting. Stay tuned to find out what changes may be coming, and how they will affect you!
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We are proud of your success as a student and would love to share your story in our eNewsletter! | | | | |
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Book receipts can be mailed to:
Southern First Nations Secretariat
Post-Secondary Department
22361 Austin Line
Bothwell, ON N0P 1C0
Electronic receipts can be forwarded to your Post-Secondary Counsellor.
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RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth | |
The RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth will award 20 scholarships annually valued up to $10,000 each per year (up to 4 years) to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada demonstrating strong academic performance and community involvement | Deadline: February 7, 2024 | |
FNIGC Student Bursary
The FNIGC Student Bursary is awarded each year to exceptional First Nations students enrolled in college or university studying in fields related to the advancement of First Nations data sovereignty.
Deadline: December 15, 2023 at 4:00 pm EST
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National Indigenous Scholarship Program | |
To learn more about Western University's National Indigenous Scholarship Program, click the button below! | |
Economic & Capacity Development | | |
The Southern First Nations Secretariat recently partnered with Maple Leaf Training to offer our Member First Nations four training sessions. Three of the sessions were addressed as a part of a series titled “Career Development”. Here is a quick recap of each of those sessions. | |
1) Research Skills – October 18, 2023 |  | |
The first session of the series was Research Skills kicked off on October 18, 2023, with 10 participants facilitated by Fiona Duffy.
Participants started with identifying different tools that can be used while researching which included reading, memory recall, note-taking, and planning. When it comes to effective reading, we’ve seen many models but the one highlighted during our session was the GO-PARSE model (Get Organized, Preview, Ask, Read, Summarize, Evaluate). Participants learned how to plan their research strategy and lay the groundwork by identifying a focal point and writing a draft outline that shows the main points that they plan to make. Participants also learned to analyze their sources to ensure they are credible and from a primary source.
After the end of the session, the facilitator sent follow-ups to all by providing links to shorthand and typing courses, grant websites, and other websites that offer financial assistance through the Canadian government.
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2) Creative Thinking and Innovation Workshop – October 25, 2023 | |
The second virtual session hosted was titled Creative Thinking and Innovation which had a total of 12 participants. The session started by asking those in attendance to self-reflect about their creativity and to answer six questions. At times it can feel like a struggle to think outside the box, but it’s important to understand that boosting your creativity and innovation abilities takes practice.
Participants reviewed different creative techniques such as the RAP Model, The Shoe Swap Technique, Mind Mapping, and Metaphors & Analogies. The session ended with attendees receiving several video links, a self-reflection activity, and tips for boosting creativity in the workplace.
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3) Business Writing Workshop – November 1, 2023 | |
The third session was initially scheduled to be the first session in the series but due to unforeseen circumstances, the session was rescheduled to November 1st. The Business Writing workshop had a total of 11 participants who had the opportunity to learn the value of good written communication, how to write and proofread their work to ensure it’s clear, concise, complete, and correct, and understand the proper format for memos, letters, and e-mails. Participants reviewed the 7 Cs of Business Communications: Clear, Concise, Correct, Courteous, Conversational, Convincing, and Complete, and reviewed each area in detail.
Other areas reviewed in the session included the structure of a sentence and paragraph, the readability index (to figure out how readable your writing is), practical language, inclusive language, punctuation, steps to writing business letters, email basics, and memo basics.
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4) Microsoft Word & Excel – November 7, 8 & 9, 2023 | SFNS received several requests to host a training session to review the basics of Microsoft Word and Excel. SFNS partnered with Maple Leaf Training to provide the requested training which consisted of seven participants reviewing an interactive web-based course that allowed them to work at their own pace. The first session consisted of participants reviewing the basics of Microsoft Word. The second day reviewed Excel, and on the last day, attendees could choose between continuing through Word and Excel modules or the opportunity to learn PowerPoint Presentation. The training provided in-depth instruction on all the basic functions available to each program including shortcuts. Participants were presented with options on how far they wanted to proceed through each program whether it be at a basic or advanced level. | | |
LDCC First Nations Health Policy Update | |
The Health Policy Implementation Facilitators and/or Education Resource Developer set up information booths “socializing” the LDCC (London District Chiefs Council) member Nations and community members; to share the First Nations Health Policy and Declaration, seeking community input in the coming months (strategies including {but not limited to} surveys, focus groups, interviews, and presentations, etc.) – LDCC member Nations are Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation), Walpole Island First Nation. | |
Caldwell First Nation Seasonal Feast December 2, 2023, in Leamington, ON. | |
CMO Diabetes Care Gathering on November 18, 2023, at Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. | |
Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Health Expo on November 24, 2023. | |
First Nations Health Policy Implementation Facilitators Contact information: | |
Ontario Indigenous Business Information Session on Federal Procurement – Central Ontario Edition
Join Procurement Assistance Canada – Ontario Region in partnership with Anishinabek Nation and other government and local partners on December 12, 2023 for an in-person Indigenous Business Information Session in North Bay, Ontario. The session will highlight the Government of Canada’s efforts to meet and exceed the target of awarding 5% of the value of all federal contracts, including subcontracts to Indigenous businesses.
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To learn more about this opportunity, click the button below. | |
Tourism Growth Program in Southern Ontario
Communities large and small in southern Ontario have so much to offer to visitors through their tourism businesses and organizations. They can now apply for funding under the Tourism Growth Program to create memorable experiences to attract visitors and grow local economies.
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NWAC's National Apprenticeship Program (NAP)
The Native Women’s Association of Canada’s National Apprenticeship Program (NAP) is designed to connect Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people with small and medium-sized businesses to build skills and explore new career opportunities.
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The Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP) funds the development of community capital projects that contribute to a sustainable social base and support economic participation in Indigenous communities, both on and off reserve.
The program has funding for three project stages in the capital project process:
- Feasibility study completion
- Design completion
- Construction, renovation, or retrofitting
Applications are being accepted until December 21, 2023 at 5 p.m. ET for the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program.
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Indigenous Tourism Fund: Micro and Small Business Stream (MSBS)
To be eligible for funding under the MSBS, Canadian tourism businesses must be majority (greater than 50%) owned, operated and/or controlled by First Nations, Inuit or Métis individuals. Businesses must have been in operation for two years and must have fewer than 100 employees.
Eligible activities must support one or more of the following:
1. Effective community engagement and support
2. Excellence in visitor experience
3. Health, safety and comfort
4. Sustainable Indigenous tourism
5. Excellence in marketing and visitor services
6. Good business acumen/practices
Contributions will be non-repayable up to a maximum of $25,000 per business/ organization. For more information on ITO's process for applying to the ITF, please contact: info@indigenoustourismontario.ca.
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Canada-Ontario Job Grant
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) provides opportunities for employers to invest in their workforce, with help from the government.
- Employers can get up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs.
- The training has to be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer.
- Employers with 100 or more employees need to contribute 1/2 of the training costs. Small employers with less than 100 employees need to contribute 1/6 of training costs.
- Most organizations acting as an intermediary are eligible for administrative funding equal to 15% of the government contribution.
For further information, please contact the Employment Ontario Contact Centre. Call toll-free (no charge): 1-800-387-5656.
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To learn more about the Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) Grant Program click the button below:
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Women’s Economic Security Program (WESP)
Low-income women can get training to equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience to find employment, an apprenticeship or start a small business and increase their financial security.
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Technical Services Department provides assistance in the following areas:
- Housing Inspection - CMHC certified inspections through all phases of construction.
- Computer-Aided Design - offer GIS and AutoCAD conceptual design services.
- Capital Project Assistance - assistance for projects that enhance critical infrastructure.
- Training - opportunities to increase capacity among First Nation staff.
- Reporting - assistance provided with annual reporting related to housing and infrastructure.
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If you have any questions, please get in touch with Tim Maness, Technical Services Manager (tmaness@sfns.on.ca). | |
To learn more or to register, click the button below. | |
Surveying of First Nation Lands Managed Under a Land Code
This guide, prepared by the Surveyor General Branch, is intended to provide First Nations that have a Land Code in effect, with information, tools and links to additional resources when considering having land survey work conducted on their lands. The format of this guide is intended to enable the reader to determine the level of information they require, whether it is a high-level overview of the survey project process in a checklist-style format or a more detailed explanation of the process, including helpful tools and examples.
You can request a downloadable PDF version of this guide by email at clss-satc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
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Kettle And Stony Point Business Receives Indigenous Entrepreneurship Grant | |
A business in Kettle and Stony Point First Nation has received one of ten Hydro One Indigenous Entrepreneurship Grants.
Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) announced Friday that Bawating Building Science [BBS] will receive $7,500.
President Trevor Trainor thanked the organizations for selecting his business.
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Unifor Raises Over $450K To Date For Imagine Build Affordable Housing Project | |
Since 2020, Unifor Local 27 in London, Ont., has partnered with the Oneida Nation of the Thames on the Imagine Build project to build affordable housing.
From Oct. 20 to 22, 10 volunteers from mainly the union’s Local 1106 and 27 participated in an “Imagine Blitz” fundraiser to help St. Thomas-based builder Doug Tarry Homes construct a house over a weekend. The Ontario Regional Council donated $4,000 for Unifor members to help with the project during an assigned timeslot.
“The Imagine Build project is everything reconciliation is meant to represent,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.
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Indigenous-led Clinic In London Marks 25 Years With New Building | |
Staff at an Indigenous-led healthcare centre in London, Ont. marked 25 years of treating patients with the official opening of a new and larger building that will serve the region's approximately 35,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
The new Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) officially opened on Dundas Street Wednesday, replacing the original location on William Street, and providing almost double the clinical space.
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The Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) provides an opportunity to specialize in Indigenous education and qualifies graduates for Ontario College of Teachers certification. | |
Library and Archives Canada's (LAC) new funding cycle of its Listen, Hear Our Voices initiative is now open. First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations striving to digitize and preserve language and culture materials and build digitization and preservation capacity for their communities are welcome to apply. Up to $100,000 per project is available for eligible organizations. First Nations, Inuit and Métis governing entities and non-profit organizations are invited to submit applications until 11:59 p.m., local time, on January 30, 2024. | | |
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The Museum of Ontario Archaeology is seeking input from Indigenous People, community members, heritage, conservation, cultural and educational groups, to help guide future plans on the Lawson Site grounds.
They have created a survey that will take about 5 minutes to complete. To get started, click the button below.
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Southern First Nations Secretariat
1-800-668-2609
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